Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Cleveland Police Revising Mass Demonstration Response Policies

The agency must also establish policies on how to handle “civil disobedience” and “civil disturbances,” on dispersal orders, and on training of officers on how to use less-lethal munitions.

December 14, 2022
1 min to read


Cleveland police officials are set to change several policies that will govern the handling of mass protests.

The city agreed to make wide-ranging changes to the way police handle mass protests as part of a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice that stems from the agency’s response to George Floyd protests in May 2020, Cleveland.com reports.

Ad Loading...

The proposed policy changes cover reporting of force, requires the chief or a designee to authorize use of force against a large group, and prohibits using force against anyone who is exercising First Amendment rights to free speech. The agency must also establish policies on how to handle “civil disobedience” and “civil disturbances,” on dispersal orders, and on training of officers on how to use less-lethal munitions.

The monitoring team also submitted for approval a new policy that prohibits officers from “improperly interfering” with citizens who record police. Officers under the policy would be specifically banned from “threatening, intimidating, using force against, stopping, detaining or citing” residents solely for recording or taking pictures of officers.

If someone is interfering with police while recording, such as blocking traffic or instructing a witness how to answer questions, officers must first warn the person, give him or her an explanation of how this affects law enforcement and get a supervisor’s approval before making any arrests.

More Command

police car geotab thumbnail for services whitepaper
SponsoredApril 1, 2026

A police department’s guide to fleet management and vehicle health

Today’s police departments face rising fleet costs and must stay ready to respond, no matter the call. In this eBook, get powerful insights to enhance your police fleet’s cost-efficiency, reliability and performance through data-driven tactics.

Read More →
Two computer screenshots with graphs and spreadsheet against a blue background
CommandMarch 26, 2026

NEOGOV Acquires Off-Duty Law Enforcement Software Platform PowerDetails

With the acquisition of PowerDetails, NEOGOV expands its footprint within public safety agencies to offer both on-duty and off-duty scheduling.

Read More →
Group of police chiefs in uniform stand in a group at the front of a room following a training class.
CommandMarch 26, 2026

FBI-LEEDA Launches Inaugural Five Star Chief Executive Institute

FBI-LEEDA’s recently-launched Five Star Chief Executive Institute is a two-week executive program that equips senior law enforcement leaders with strategic skills for modern policing.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
woman officer shown from the back in a vest that states parking enforcement while issuing a parking ticket to a car
CommandDecember 5, 2025

Why Police Leaders Must Champion Parking Enforcement

For police and transportation departments, traditional parking enforcement exposes officers to risk, such as standing on busy roads to issue paper tickets or catching offenders in dangerous, congested areas. Modern technology changes this, reducing exposure, speeding processes, and limiting confrontations.

Read More →
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips episode More IACP from the Show Floor
Patrolby Wayne ParhamOctober 22, 2025

More IACP 2025 From the Show Floor

Watch expanded coverage of IACP 2025 as the POLICE Magazine team walks the aisles at the expo and shares what we found interesting on display for chiefs from across the country and around the world this week in Denver, Colorado.

Read More →
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips
Patrolby Wayne ParhamOctober 21, 2025

IACP 2025 - From the Show Floor

Take a look inside the expo at IACP 2025 to see a sampling of what is displayed for chiefs from across the country and around the world this week in Denver, Colorado.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Pro-gard Products LLC logo with white and blue branded service vehicles
CommandSeptember 22, 2025

Pro-gard Expands Law Enforcement Vehicle Protection and Transport Solutions

Pro-gard has introduced HD Fender and Headlight Wraps for added front-end protection and a new P1300 Pro-Cell transport system for Ford F-150 and Super Duty models.

Read More →
The Wounded Blue logo: shield emblem with WB letters in blue and black
CommandSeptember 9, 2025

COPS Teams With The Wounded Blue To Help Injured And Disabled Law Enforcement Officers And Their Families

Free officer-wellness training comes to Las Vegas Sept. 22–25: The Wounded Blue’s 5th Annual National Law Enforcement Survival Summit opens registration.

Read More →
Police magazine video thumbnail for 'Officer Rescue' with blue and yellow design
CommandSeptember 3, 2025

Video: Officer Crawls Across Ladder to Rescue Family from Floodwaters

When floodwaters overturned a vehicle in rural New Mexico, Officer Walker Eby risked his life—crawling over raging currents on a ladder—to rescue a woman, her child, and their dog.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Swimmer in pool with World Police & Fire Games logos, sports montage film strip
CommandAugust 29, 2025

Ahmedabad, India, to Host 2029 World Police & Fire Games

Birmingham, Alabama, hosted the 2025 World Police & Fire Games, and Ahmedabad, India, has been announced as the host city for 2029.

Read More →